OWEGO, NY (607NewsNow) — Tioga County is buying property in the village of Owego. 

Legislators voted Tuesday, Dec. 9 to move forward on purchasing property that includes two parking lots, a former Walgreens building, and a converted residence on Main Street and Central Avenue.

“This acquisition is a strategic investment in Tioga County’s future,” Legislative Chair Martha Sauerbrey said. “By securing this property in the heart of downtown Owego, we are positioning county government to better serve residents, support our workforce, and strengthen our historic village center as a hub of activity and access.”

Officials say the long-term plan for the space is to construct “a new and modern consolidated administrative county office building.”

“Residents deserve a government that is both accessible and efficient,” County Administrator Jackson Bailey said. “This property gives us the opportunity to bring more services under one roof, upgrade outdated facilities, and plan for the next several decades—not just the next few years. We are committed to doing this in a fiscally responsible way that respects both taxpayers and employees.”

Funding for the project would come from the county’s capital reserve funds “that have been intended for the refurbishment or acquisition of a facility and is consistent with Tioga County’s long-range capital planning efforts,” officials stated.